Blog: Wes’s thoughts, articles, and insights

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My most recent posts

Guardrails can be helpful!

By Wes Trochlil | October 7, 2026

Guardrails can be helpful! When selecting a new AMS, I find my clients are often very tempted by custom software or “platform” systems (e.g., built on Salesforce or MS Dynamics) because these systems are infinitely configurable. After all, if I can make the system do anything I want, that’s a good thing, right? Well, maybe. In […]

“If you knew this information, what might you do differently?”

By Wes Trochlil | September 30, 2026

“If you knew this information, what might you do differently?” I had a conversation with a client recently about developing KPIs, reports, and queries from their forthcoming data warehouse. My client said: “We have a ton of requests for KPIs and reports. How do we determine which to focus on first?” My response: “When someone requests a dashboard […]

Showing is not teaching

By Wes Trochlil | September 23, 2026

Showing is not teaching In my experience, when new staff members are taught how to use their AMS (or LMS, CMS, FMS, etc.) they aren’t really taught how to use the system, they are shown how to use it. So what’s the difference? In a nutshell, showing only covers the “how” and “what.” But teaching […]

Data management is improvisation

By Wes Trochlil | September 16, 2026

Data management is improvisation I was listening to a podcast recently featuring TV writer Rob Long. During the podcast he said (I’m paraphrasing) that, in order to be successful, one needs to learn to improvise, because nothing in life ever goes as planned. One of my favorite sayings is, “If you want to make God […]

Who own the AMS company is like the weather…

By Wes Trochlil | September 9, 2026

Who own the AMS company is like the weather… When I work with clients to find a new AMS, one of the most common questions I get is: “Is the software company owned by private equity or is it privately owned?” While I think this is a legitimate question to ask and have answered, it […]

Older Posts

Another cool feature in an AMS

April 24, 2008

I was attending a demo for one of my clients recently. They were taking a look at the IMPAK database […]

10 Steps to Getting the CRM Solution You Need

April 22, 2008

Here's a nice article on selecting a CRM solution, from InsideCRM. I know it's a nice article, because I'm quoted […]

Another Successful TAUG

April 17, 2008

TAUG is TMA Resources Annual Users Group meeting. This year they met in Louisville, and it was, once again, a […]

Why IT projects fail

April 15, 2008

This article in TechNewsWorld, discusses the recent decision by the Census Bureau to abandon its use of handheld computers to […]

How Many Channels are You Using?

April 10, 2008

In the retail world, marketers often speak of "channels." Channels are the different methods of purchasing interaction between the customer […]

Be Honest with Yourself

April 8, 2008

Many years ago I was sitting in a meeting between a vendor and an association client. The vendor asked "How […]

Even the Big Guys Struggle with System Implementation

April 3, 2008

I think there is a common misconception among smaller organizations that somehow "big" companies don't have the same kinds of challenges with […]

"It's like trying too many perfumes…"

April 1, 2008

When I work with my clients on system selection, one thing I strongly advise them to do is limit the […]

"Always on purpose."

March 20, 2008

I had the pleasure of speaking with Ann Hamilton of Disney a few weeks ago. During our conversation, I asked […]

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